The Pilgrim Path---Acts 5: 1 – 11

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words , he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the LORD? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

You have not lied to man---but to GOD…

Here we have one of the most intriguing texts in the early narrative of Acts. When someone interacts with an Apostle---and they are struck dead---how could that not be an incredible passage? Dr. Luke is quick to point out that Ananias and Sapphira did something that was terrible: they lied to the LORD. On the face of it, these Believers did not think they had done such a horrible thing. All they wanted to do was appear as generous as the brother in the previous chapter (Barnabas, Acts 4). The sticky part was---Barnabas sold property and gave all the proceeds to the Apostles to distribute to those in need. He did this gladly---and as unto the LORD. He received quite the praise for this. When word got out (he did not give to be adored by men), it seems Ananias and Sapphira were “yearning” for the same type of adoration from people in the Church. Well, the cunning couple sold some real estate and brought the proceeds to the Apostles (or so it seemed). They kept back some of the money for themselves---but wanted everyone to think they had given “all” for Jesus and His people. The LORD’S attitude was that they were liars: lying to HIM---and lying to the Covenant Community.

Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse used to say that if God were as quick to judge the Saints in as similar a manner now---as He was then---every Church would have to have a funeral director on staff (how true that may be). Barnhouse goes on to speak of some other souls who “lost” their lives in Scripture during very formative times for God’s People: Nadab and Abihu---offering improper fire at God’s altar / Uzzah trying to steady God’s ark during transport. The LORD took significant steps to instruct His Own concerning the purity of the relationship He expected with His Sons and Daughters. This was a significant time for the early Church in Acts chapter 5. My—My, the LORD would “grip the hearts and minds” of His people with this episode…

---Sometimes we want to please people more than the LORD…

---Sometimes we want the approval of people more than the LORD’S approval…

---Sometimes we are not thinking very deeply about our relationship to God: HE is always concerned with the heart…HE is always watching…

---Sometimes we do not take pretense seriously---The LORD wants Us to always be people of Truth…

---Saints have the privilege of possessing things---Sometimes our things may possess us…

---Satan is always prowling about like a lion. He really likes to appear as an angel of light. His chief strategy: He tells lies. Watch out for the Liar!

---“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4: 7, 8

---So-- Praise the LORD--Jesus Saves: The Holy One Jesus was “struck down” for Us---and raised again the third day---that all who trust in HIM might not be cast off forever! He does not leave Us as He found us---but He is constantly working in and upon us---to make us more and more dead to sin---and more and more alive to righteousness. At times I feel the shallowness of Ananias and Sapphira within myself---But even to “feel” the shame of their pretense and hypocrisy is to know the Spirit of God is burning away transgression and sin---and beginning to add some fabric to my soul and make me more compassionate to others in their own struggles with unrighteousness. Thanks be to God for the mercy of the Ever Living One---in spite of all my foolishness. How often the, “young men should come in---wrap me up---and carry me out.”

---Such phrases: “he fell down…she fell down…And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.” Greater care in practice and performance---attitude and action---at least for a time…

HYMN

Stricken, smitten, and afflicted, see him dying on the tree!

‘Tis the Christ by man rejected; yes, my soul, ‘tis he, ‘tis he!

‘Tis the long-expected Prophet, David’s son, yet David’s LORD;

By his Son God now has spoken: ‘tis the true and faithful Word.

Thomas Kelly, 1804

PRAYER

My LORD and my God, would I cry out, under the same conscious shame of my dreadful unbelief, as Thomas did?

Yes, LORD, you are still ministering, still serving. And though I lose sight of you a thousand and ten thousand times, it is plain and most evident that nothing but your strength could carry me through.

In all the blessings of your finished redemption, you yourself are serving up grace to your people.

You did first purchase all blessings with your blood, and now you live to see them administered by your Spirit.

Precious Jesus, you are ever with me. By and by I will be with you. I will see you as you are, and I will be satisfied when I awake with your likeness. Amen.

Robert Hawker

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason